Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency in Cervicogenic Headache

Efficacy of Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment at C2 Level in Cervicogenic Headache

The effect of GON PRF treatment applied with USG-guided proximal technique in patients who do not respond to conservative treatments for cervicogenic headache

In this study, GON PRF will be applied to paticipants who are diagnosed with cervicogenic headache according to ICHD-3 criteria, who meet the study criteria and who report a positive effect with diagnostic GON block application. The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided C2 level greater occipital nerve pulsed radiofrequency treatment in cervicogenic headache during the follow-up period.Secondary purpose is to determine the effects of the GON PRF treatment applied on the volunteers' analgesic drug consumption, daily life activities and sleep, how they generally perceive this treatment and whether there is a need for any additional treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with cervicogenic headache according to ICHD-3 criteria
• Cranial and cervical spine imaging is available
• Number of headache days per month 5 and/or more
• Inadequate benefit from pharmacological treatments or physical therapy methods used
• Volunteer patients who can understand and approve the treatment and the informed consent form and who can comply with the treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of secondary headache other than cervicogenic headache according to ICHD-3 criteria
• Cervical nerve root irritation and/or spinal stenosis symptoms and signs
• Sensory deficit findings in the greater occipital nerve dermatome
• Craniocervical defect or other anatomical abnormality in the target area or nearby the procedure
• Local or systemic infection
• Received nonpharmacological treatment within the last 3 months (physical therapy, botulinum toxin A, acupuncture, ozone, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.)
• Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
• Known allergy to local anesthetic drugs
• History of malignancy
• Known organic disease of the brain and spinal cord
• History of cranial/cervical surgery within the last 1 year
• Bleeding-clotting disorder or oral anticoagulant use
• Comorbid disease that may cause headache (uncontrolled hypertension, intracranial lesion, etc.)
• Compliance with treatment and treatment results diseases that may affect the evaluation (psychiatric disorder, dementia, etc.)
• Those who request re-treatment due to the emergence of contralateral pain or other types of pain during the follow-up period after treatment
• Those who do not accept treatment